Phil Jackson: Kobe 'still limping when he walks'

Kobe Bryant is "still limping when he walks," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said Saturday, two days before the team's Western Conference semifinal opener vs. Dallas.

Bryant sprained his left ankle Sunday night in Game 4 of the Lakers' first-round series. He said Saturday: "I'm fine," clearly disinterested in delving into the details. Bryant said he was able to play on it, so he dismissed the matter.

Jackson, however, reported only a "limited amount of improvement" in Bryant's injury.

"It still affects him a lot," Jackson said. "This is not going to go away any time soon."

Jackson said the Lakers will need to monitor Bryant in the upcoming series and Bryant will have to adjust to having "a limited amount of practice time" by figuring out how to get himself going in games.

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